EI7GL blog

 After being absent for a while, John's excellent blog is back. John has one of the best amateur radio blogs on the internet.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/. 

RSGB convention this weekend

 October 11-13th - RSGB 2024 Convention, Milton Keynes. See rsgb.org/conventon .

70cm activity contest

Every month the RSGB holds a 70cm activity contest on a Tuesday evening.  Because of my voice, I rarely stop on very long. Also, I suspect this contest is attracting fewer entries, people preferring FT8. The map shows the QSOs I managed with 10W and a 2m big-wheel omni antenna.

Fungi or Lichen? - NOT amateur radio

I think this log at nearby Anglesey Abbey was on the blog some months ago. 

It looks like the fungi (or is it lichen?) is changing colour.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

Since getting home at about 1130z my 10m WSPR QRP has been on. No spots.

UPDATE 1330z:  Spotted by 5 stations so far.

UPDATE 2115z: Spotted by 21 stations today. See table.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Since getting in at about 1130z, my 8m FT8 has been on. I called G4FKI (60km) who was calling CQ, but I think my 2.5W and horizontal dipole were not enough. Spotted by 2 stations in Spain though.

UPDATE 1332z: Spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost ZR1ADI (9777km) in South Africa.

UPDATE 1407z: I see ZR1ADI called me.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 9th

 Solar flux is 225 and the SSN 165. A=58 and K=4.

EI9KP?

EI9KP was a regular spotter of my 2.5W 8m FT8, but despite many spots by others in Eire recently, nothing by EI9KP. Does anybody know why please?

UPDATE 1826z:  Apparently Phil has dismantled his ham gear and is returning to Belgium.

What propagation mode?

On 8m FT8 today, my 2.5W to a low dipole has been spotted by 2 stations in Eire. This is too far (I think) for usual tropo and there seems to be a blackout on F2. I suppose it could be aircraft scatter.

The "fog of war" - NOT amateur radio

Back in the 1970s I recall we were told the Vietcong were "evil".  Now we hear about Iran being part of "the axis of resistance".

In times of war or heightened tensions it is easy for propaganda to reach unbelievable heights. It is hard to tell what is real and what "the powers that be" want you to hear.

At the moment we are hearing of the war in Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Middle East.

All I am saying is in the "fog of war" truth is hard to discern.  Do not believe all you hear.